Friday, January 6, 2012

Hindu-Muslim Riot (contd-2)

The foundation of Muslim Leagueat Dacca on the last day of Dec. 1906, was the begining of an organized opposition on the part of the Muslims to the Hindus. As days passed by, the Musalmans took a more and more hostile attitude towards the Hindus and the Swadeshi Movement sponsored by them. This attitude, deliberately encouraged under the leadership of of the Nawab of Dacca, and connived at , if not investigated, by the British officials, culminated in a series of outbreaks in East Bengal. There were a number of communal riots, the most serious of which were those at Comilla and jamalpurThe depth of infamy to which the Muslim propaganda descended is best exemplified by the notorious document, known as Lal Ishtahar , or Red Pamphlet, which was the most virulant anti-hindu proclamation and an open incitement of the Muslims against the Hindus. The disturbances at Comilla broke out on the 4th March, 1907, and continued for about 4 days. They synchronized with the visit of Nawab Salimullah of Dacca to Comillatown to put fresh vigour into the anti-Swadeshi agitation. The Comilla riot followed by various other outbreaks of a similar nature, though of less intensity.

The official version about the causes of the riots was thus summed up by Mr. Morley in reply to a certain questions in the House of Commons; "The situation in Eastern bengal" said he, " was strained owing to the bitterness existing between the Hindus and Muslims consequent to the attempt of purchasing foreign goods." But the disturbances were limited, only two districts out of 13 were affected.
The detail report of the riots are well described in the book History of Freedom Movement by Br. R.C.Majumdar.